Methods and systems for electronic receipt transmission and management

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods and apparatus for the generation, transmission, storage and manipulation of electronic receipts which communicate itemized purchase transaction information. Preferred embodiments comprise wireless vendor devices and wireless purchaser devices which transmit electronic receipts at a point-of-sale for documentation of a purchase transaction. Further processing of the electronic receipt information may be performed with a purchaser device or with a secondary computing device after subsequent receipt transmission to that secondary device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a divisional application of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/645,141, filed Jul. 25, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systemsand apparatus for communication and management of electronic receiptinformation. More particularly, these embodiments provide for thetransmission of an electronic receipt from a vendor device to apurchaser device and for subsequent transmission, in some embodiments,of the electronic receipt to management and accounting software. Anelectronic receipt may be transmitted in conjunction with cash payment,charge, debit and authorization information or may be transmitted as aunique entity. Some embodiments of the present invention may utilizewireless purchasing devices (WPDs) to communicate with point-of-salewireless vendor devices (WVDs) and arrange the electronic transfer ofreceipt information.

[0004] 2.Background

[0005] Electronic transactions involving the transfer of money andpecuniary assets are common in our society today. Stocks and bonds maybe purchased and traded using only electronic transactions. Goods andservices are also commonly purchased over the telephone or via theInternet using credit or debit accounts with electronic authorization.

[0006] Retail vendors typically accept credit and debit cards which areverified and authorized using electronic communications methods. Nearlyevery significant retail vendor accepts some form of credit or debitcard as remuneration for goods or services. The accounts accessedthrough these cards are typically identified by a number embossed on thecard and a magnetic strip on the card's surface that is encoded withaccount information. Transactions involving a credit or debit cardaccount require authorization from the organization who issues the card.This authorization is generally obtained at the point-of-sale by avendor through electronic communications channels. A transaction amountis determined and the amount of the transaction along with the accountidentification information are transmitted to the organization whichissued the card or an authorization provider(AP). If the account hassufficient credit or funds to cover the transaction amount and theaccount has not been deactivated for some other reason, the card issuerwill send an authorization code to the vendor or AP which indicates thatthe issuer will transfer the authorized amount to the vendor at anappropriate time.

[0007] Account information may be obtained by swiping the electronicstrip of the card across a magnetic reader thereby eliminating the needfor manual input. The transaction amount may also be transferred from anelectronic cash register and combined with the account informationautomatically to make an authorization request.

[0008] These point-of-sale authorization request devices are typicallyconnected to the card issuers or their representatives, sometimes knownas authorization processors (APs), through a conventional telephoneline. Often a dedicated phone line is connected to the point-of-saleauthorization device for quick access to authorization data.

[0009] Wireless communication technology has progressed rapidly inrecent years. Cell phones and other long-range communication deviceshave proliferated and are now commonplace among consumers. As technologyadvances, the cost of these devices is plummeting and even morewidespread use is eminent. Mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios,smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other communicatorsare all available on the market.

[0010] Internet use is also skyrocketing with millions of new userslogging on each year. Internet commerce now represents a significantportion of retail commerce and is used by millions of consumers eachday.

[0011] Communications protocols exist which allow present generationelectronic communications devices to interface with the Internet andaccess Internet resources. The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is anopen, global specification that enables mobile wireless communicationsdevices to access and interact with Internet information and services.WAP is a communications protocol and environment which can be built onnearly any operating system including PalmOS, EPOC, Windows CE, FLEXOS,OS/9, JavaOS and others and provides service interoperability betweendifferent device families. WAP works with most existing wirelesscommunications networks such as CDPD, CDMA, GSM, PDC, PHS, TDMA, FLEX,ReFLEX, iDEN, TETRA, DECT, DataTAC, Mobitex and others. WAP developersoperate Internet gateways specifically tailored for wirelesscommunications device users. These devices typically have smalldisplays, limited memory and less bandwidth that stationary, wireconnected computers, therefore, WAP provides for use of eXtended MarkupLanguages (XMLs) such as the Wireless Markup Language (WML) which offersInternet content tailored for cell phones, PDAs and other wireless,portable communications devices.

[0012] Using WAP and similar technologies, vendors, news agencies,financial institutions and other providers allow cell phone and otherportable communications device users to buy and sell securities, executecredit card transactions, make account transfers, make bill payments,receive and send e-mail, view news reports. These providers offerseamless integration between the Internet and wireless portablecommunication devices.

[0013] Wireless communication devices are also becoming commonplace inthe electronics industry. Wireless networking of portable computers andassociated devices is now replacing a large segment of the networkingmarket. Wireless communication devices including wireless networkingadapters, hubs and other equipment utilize radio transmitters andreceivers to transmit data signals from one device or node to another.These radio transmitters and receivers must utilize a specific frequencyband and protocol to accomplish this task. Since these wireless networksand communications areas may often overlap, standards, protocols andprivacy protection are necessary. One current standard in the industryhas been established by the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers, Inc. (IEEE) and is known as IEEE 802.11. This standardcomprises communications standards, protocol and equipmentspecifications for wireless communication equipment including privacyand encryption provisions.

[0014] Another innovation in the wireless communications arena is theadvent of short-range wireless networking between portablecommunications devices. One standard for this technology is known asBluetooth®, and is being established by a collaborative group ofcommunications and computing companies. Devices incorporating Bluetooth®technology will utilize a micro-chip transceiver for communicationsbetween devices. Bluetooth® devices will transmit in the previouslyunused 2.4 GHz range and will have a range of about 10 meters which maybe extended to about 100 meters by increasing transmitter power.Bluetooth® technology promises to be a viable and economical networkingsolution for interconnection of cell phones, computers, printers,modems, computer peripherals, fax machines and other communications andcomputing devices. The size of the Bluetooth® transceiver makes itusable in devices as small as palm computers and cell phones.

[0015] Another established wireless connectivity standard is known asIrDA and employs infrared radiation to communicate between devices. IrDAis a point-to-point narrow angle, ad-hoc data transmission standarddesigned to operate over a distance of 0 to 1 meter at speeds of 9600bps to 16 Mbps. It is typically used in a point-and-shoot fashion bypointing one device at another for direct data transmission.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide systems,methods and apparatus which provide for the generation, transmission andmanagement of electronic receipts. Electronic receipts of embodiments ofthe present invention may comprise purchase transaction informationincluding, but not limited to, total purchase price, vendor ID,purchaser ID, item descriptions, itemized pricing, purchase date,purchase time, discount information, creditor information, authorizationinformation, receipt management information and other transactioninformation. The electronic receipts of embodiments of the presentinvention comprise itemized information so that detailed tracking andaccounting of purchased items may be performed automatically.

[0017] Typically, an electronic receipt will be generated by a vendordevice at a point-of-sale. When a transaction takes place, an electronicreceipt may be transmitted from the vendor device to a purchaser devicewhere the receipt may be stored for further processing within the deviceor for further transmission to other devices and systems. Preferredembodiments of the present invention employ a wireless vendor device(WVD) which may be a single device or a combination of devices capableof generating receipt information and transmitting receipt informationto other devices. A WVD typically employs wireless communicationstechnology to transmit the receipt information. Embodiments of thepresent invention may employ a radio frequency transmitter, an Infraredtransmitter or other wireless communications methods.

[0018] The electronic receipt will generally be transmitted to apurchaser device and, in preferred embodiments, to a wireless purchasingdevice (WPD) which can store and manipulate the electronic receipt. Apurchaser device, such as a WPD, may process and display the electronicreceipt information directly as well as retransmit the receiptinformation to other devices or systems for further processing. A WPDmay take the form of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wirelessphone or some other wireless communication device.

[0019] Alternate scenarios include purchasing an item using a wirelesspoint of sale system. With this transaction, receipt is transferred fromthe vendor to the wireless point of sale device over a wireless systemsuch as Bluetooth_or IrDA connection. Under this scenario no directInternet connection is required as the information is transferreddirectly over a wireless connection over the WPD and the vendor.

[0020] Another purchasing scenario involves the purchasing of an itemover a direct Internet connection via an Internet Protocol. For example,WAP. In this purchasing scenario, receipt is transferred from the vendorto the WPD via a wired or a wireless Internet connection.

[0021] Once the electronic receipt information has been transmitted tothe purchaser device, the information derived from the electronicreceipt may be processed and manipulated to provide additionalfunctionality. Preferred embodiments of the present invention employprocessing methods which compile multiple electronic receipts andprovide a user with an accounting of each item purchased along withpurchase information. Items listed in electronic receipts may becategorized into categories of items for accounting purposes. Each itemon an electronic receipt may be placed in one or more categories andeach item may be related to specific budget accounts. The methods ofembodiments of the present invention may provide for real-time budgetingand accounting processes which allow a user to be constantly aware ofcurrent account and budget situations.

[0022] Accordingly it is an object of some embodiments of the presentinvention to provide systems, method and apparatus for creatingelectronic receipts.

[0023] It is another object of some embodiments of the present inventionto provide systems methods and apparatus for transmitting electronicreceipts.

[0024] It is yet another object of some embodiments of the presentinvention to provide systems methods and apparatus for providingaccounting and budgeting methods using electronic receipts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention briefly described above will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in theappended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing components of a preferred embodimentof the present invention; and

[0027]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the typical use of an embodimentof the present invention with a single WVD and WPD.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The figures listed above are expressly incorporated as part ofthis detailed description.

[0029] It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein,could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system and apparatus of the present invention, asrepresented in FIGS. 1 through 2, is not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention, as claimed, but it is merely representative of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0030] The currently preferred embodiments of the present invention willbe best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout.

[0031] In reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a consumer'swireless purchasing device (WPD) 2 is shown comprising a microprocessor4 for processing consumer input, communications functions and displayfunctions as well as other functions. WPD 2 may also comprise a display6 in preferred embodiments, however display 6 is not required forrudimentary embodiments. An input device 8 may also be part of WPD 2 toallow for consumer input and selection. WPD 2 may communicate with otherelectronic devices using a short-range communications device 14. Shortrange communications device 14 may be used to communicate with avendor's point-of-sale device, such as wireless vending device (WVD) 20,with other WPDs, with external communication devices or with otherelectronic devices. However, the key function of short rangecommunications device 14 is to communicate with WVDs and to receiveelectronic receipt information therefrom. Short range communicationsdevice 14 may be a Bluetooth® transceiver or similar short rangenetworking device or may be an Infrared transceiver such as an IrDAstandard port as well as other devices. WPD 2 also comprises memory 16for storing electronic receipt and other information. WPD 2 may alsocomprise input/output (I/O) 12 such as a serial port, parallel port, USBport or some other wired communication connection. I/O 12 may also beused to communicate with a vendor device at a point-of-sale transactionwhen wireless communication is not available or desired.

[0032] Some embodiments of WPD 2 may also comprise a biometric inputdevice 10 to verify user identity. Biometric input device 10 may usethumb print analysis, retinal scan analysis or another identificationmethod to identify the WPD user. Once the user is identified, useridentity can be matched to account data to ensure that unauthorizedusers do not gain access to sensitive information or other user'saccounts.

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention also comprise a wirelessvendor device (WVD) 20 which is typically positioned at a point-of-salefor communication with WPDs. WVD 20 will generally comprise a shortrange communications device 24 configured to communicate with shortrange communications device 14 used in WPDs. As with communicationsdevice 14, device 24 may be a Bluetooth® transceiver, an IrDA port oranother communications device. In situations where multiple vendors areaccessible to a single WPD at the same time, a Bluetooth® transceiver orsimilar networking device is preferred to allow multiple partycommunications. Short range communications device 24 is connected to avendor device 22 which is typically an electronic computing device suchas an electronic cash register, an electronic vending machine, abar-code reader or other device which may transmit and receive productand transaction information and transmit electronic receipt information.WVD 20 may communicate electronic receipt information or otherinformation via short range transceiver 24 or via direct cableconnection to WPD input/output 12 for direct wireline communications.

[0034] WPD 2 may also communicate with secondary computing device 30which may comprise a variety of devices including, but not limited to, adesktop computer, a mainframe computer, a storage device, a networkserver, an Internet site and many other computing devices. Secondarycomputing device 30 may be used for storage and processing of electronicreceipt information. When WPD 2 has limited processing ability, limiteddisplay capability, limited memory or other limited features, secondarycomputing device 30 may receive information from WPD 2 for processing,display, storage, conversion or other manipulation or use. Even when WPD2 does not have limited features, information may be transmitted tosecondary computing device 30 for archival storage, redundant filemaintenance or any other reason.

[0035] WPD 2 may communicate with secondary computing device 30 via ashort range communication devices 34 & 14 or by direct wireline linkthrough input/output devices 12 & 36. Input/output devices 12 & 36 maycomprise modems, network adapters, serial ports, parallel ports, USBports and any other communications adapters or connections.

[0036] During use of the systems and methods of embodiments of thepresent invention an exchange of information 44 takes place between avendor device such as a WVD 20 and a purchaser device such as a WPD 2 asshown in FIG. 2. This information exchange 44 may comprise multipletransactions and multiple bi-lateral or unilateral data transmissions.In some embodiments, information exchange 44 may comprise credit ordebit account identification and authorization as well as identificationof vendor and purchaser along with account information. Some or all ofinformation exchange 44 may be encrypted, coded or otherwise manipulatedto preserve privacy.

[0037] Information exchange 44 also comprises the transmission ofelectronic receipt information from vendor device 20 to purchaser device2. Electronic receipt information typically comprises purchasetransaction information including, but not limited to, total purchaseprice, vendor ID, purchaser ID, item descriptions, itemized pricing,purchase date, purchase time, discount information, creditorinformation, authorization information, receipt management informationand other transaction information. The electronic receipts ofembodiments of the present invention comprise itemized information sothat detailed tracking and accounting of purchased items may beperformed automatically. Detailed tracking as well as itemizedinformation, automated logging or indexing of stored receipts is alsomade available.

[0038] Information stored in purchaser device 2 may be compiled,displayed, converted or otherwise manipulated within purchaser device 2through the use of microprocessor 4, memory 16 and other components.Generally, a user may combine receipt information to obtain a runningtotal of itemized and categorized purchase and budget information. Whenpurchaser device 2 has limited processing capabilities or for otherreasons, a user may transfer 46 receipt information from purchaserdevice 2 to secondary computing device 30 for further processing,storage, archiving and other functions.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, secondary computing device 30 is a webserver 42 which can be accessed through a wireless Internet connection.Web server 42 may provide compiled receipt information includingitemized and categorized purchase and budget information. Web server 42may further provide banking, automated bill payment, tax preparation andother financial services in connection with receipt informationmanagement.

[0040] Secondary computing device 30 such as a home computer or webserver may also transmit compiled information 48 back to purchaserdevice 2 for display and reference while a user is unable to connect tosecondary computing device 30.

[0041] The electronic receipt information of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention comprises detailed information in an itemizedformat so that purchase data can be tracked, stored, and compiled forspecific purchase items. Items may also be assigned to certaincategories for which aggregate information may be compiled. Items mayalso be assigned to budget accounts from which funds are drawn whenthose items are purchased. A user may be alerted to budget accountoverdrafts when receipt information is received or, in some embodiments,a preliminary receipt may be transmitted from vendor device 20 topurchaser device 2 for budget authorization prior to a final purchasetransaction. Upon budget approval a specific purchase may be authorizedand a final purchase receipt will be transmitted.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of an electronic receipt will have completefile integrity so that users may be assured of accurate receiptinformation regardless of the location or possession of an electronicreceipt file. File integrity may be preserved through independenttransmission and storage of original receipt information by anindependent verification service or by other data integrity preservationmethods.

[0043] Turning now to FIG. 3, a customer bank lender 39 is shownhandling various vendor accounts 71, 72, and 73, debiting and creditingthose accounts as authorization is received. An authorization processor30 takes requests from devices such as wireless purchasing device 2 andeither forwards an authorization and response to the request or forwardsa denial. If the request cannot be satisfied either because ofinsufficient funds or some other inconsistency in the process, then adenial is forwarded to the wireless purchasing device. The requestforwarded by the wireless purchasing device 2 are received from wirelessvending devices 61, 62, and 63. The system may operate using severalscenarios. For example, in one scenario, the owner of a wirelesspurchasing device 2 would place an order from wireless vending device61. Before the order is transmitted to wireless vending device 61, theproper ownership of the device could be verified through biometric input10. Once verified, the order could be transmitted wirelessly to thewireless vending device whereupon the device would respond by indicatingthat there were sufficient quantities of product available at the pricerequested and would transmit that information back to the wirelesspurchasing device along with an authorization code. The wirelesspurchasing device would then forward the authorization code in a requestto the authorization processor 30. Authorization processor 30 would thenlocate the appropriate customer bank lender 39 and forward the requestfor transfer of funds. The customer bank lender would use theauthorization code to locate the correct vendor account and it wouldtransmit funds from the owner of the wireless purchasing device overinto the account of the vender. Once the funds have been transferred, atransfer verification would be forwarded back to the authorizationprocessor back to wireless purchasing device 2 and forwarded to wirelessvending device 61. Upon receiving the verification, the vending devicewould release the product to the owner of the wireless purchasingdevice. It should be understood that the wireless vending device 61 isused only as an example and that purchases can also be made from anynumber and type of vendors.

[0044] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrated and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

I claim:
 1. A system for receiving and maintaining electronic receiptinformation, said system comprising: a vendor device for determiningitemized purchase information such as items purchased, tax, the paymentform, or approval information and compiling said purchase informationinto an electronic receipt; a short range communications device coupledto said vendor device for transmitting said receipt; a purchaser devicefor receiving and storing said receipt; a short range communicationsdevice coupled to said purchaser device; said short range communicationsdevice coupled to said purchaser device being capable of receiving anelectronic receipt from said short range communications device coupledto said vendor device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said secondarycomputing device is a desktop computer.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein said secondary computing device provides electronic receiptcompilation and management.
 4. A method for receiving and maintainingelectronic receipt information, said method comprising the acts of:determining itemized purchase information with a vendor device;compiling said purchase information into an electronic receipt;transmitting said electronic receipt to a purchaser device.
 5. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising the act of identifying a purchaserdevice user using a bio-metric input device coupled to said purchaserdevice.
 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising the act oftransmitting said electronic receipt from said purchaser device to asecondary computing device.
 7. The method of claim further comprisingthe acts of: compiling said electronic receipt information with otherelectronic receipt information from other purchases; storing saidcompiled information; and transmitting said compiled information to saidpurchaser device.
 8. An electronic receipt for recording purchasetransaction details, said receipt comprising: an itemized list of itemspurchased in a transaction; a purchase price for each of said items; acategory assignment for each of said items for organization of saiditems.
 9. A system for collating and storing electronic receipts, thesystem comprising: a purchaser device for transmitting electronicreceipts of various differing formats; a server for receiving saidelectronic receipts; and software loaded or said server for strippingdata from said receipts and compiling said data in a common format. 10.A system as recited in claim 9, wherein the compiled data is used forparticipation in loyalty programs, discounts, or coupons.